The Kentucky Derby comes to Cantina Diablo’s in Royal Oak on Saturday when Bedside Healers teams up to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Jason Peach, owner and president of Bedside Healers, came up with an idea 12 years ago that incorporates the use of stuffed animals to help hospital and home-bound patients deal with the various challenges they might face.

Peach, 38, founded Bedside Healers in 2001 when his father was in the hospital.

Advertisement

“His stuffed animal kept falling off the bed and the nurses kept moving it off the bed when he was asleep,” Peach said Wednesday. “My father was distraught at 50 years old, so I knew there was a need for this stuffed animal for people of all ages.”

As a way to spread the word about Bedside Healers, the 2nd annual Derby Party will be held 4-7 p.m. on Saturday at Cantina Diablo’s, 100 S. Main St. in downtown Royal Oak. The event offers a way to “cheer on” your favorite horse on the restaurant’s many televisions before, during and after the famed race held each year in Louisville, Ky.

“We want to raise money to provide every child at Royal Oak Beaumont with a Bedside Healer (stuffed animal),” said Peach. “There will be 50/50 raffles and over $2,500 worth of locally donated prizes given away and great food (at Cantina Diablo’s) to celebrate the 2013 Kentucky Derby.”

Tickets are $50 and the bar at Cantina Diablo’s will offer 25 percent off, while a Fajita buffet will be offered to all participants for just $4. Also, the Kentucky Derby’s favorite drinks – mint julep and mojito – will be just $4.

“We are working with the Children’s Miracle Network and the Beaumont Foundation to coordinate the donations and make sure these Bedside Healers get into the right hands,” said Peach, who noted the affiliation with the Kentucky Derby was a family decision.

“We have chosen the Kentucky Derby as our ‘benefit day’ because my grandparents loved the Kentucky Derby,” he said. “They are no longer with us and they would have loved to see the good things Bedside Healers is doing.”

To make things fun, there will be a contest for the best Kentucky Derby hat worn that day at Cantina Diablo’s.

“We encourage the ladies to dress the part with dresses and hats,” Peach said. “Gentlemen dress business casual – Kentucky Derby style.”

Peach said the Bedside Healers website offers an opportunity to join “The Community.”

“It only takes a few moments (and) if you don’t have anyone to send a Bedside Healer to at the moment, you can go on the site and donate them,” he concluded. “Your name will be added to the tag of the stuffed bear and the recipient will then know to connect with you on our site.”